High Bridge standoff suspect charged with weapons offenses

At 5:33 p.m. on Tuesday, a police monitoring service indicated that the suspect involved in a standoff in High Bridge pointed a long rifle out the window. Flash grenades and shots were heard in area, the service said.
Nick Muscavage, @nmuscavage

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The home of the man who allegedly was involved in a police standoff on Overlook Drive in High Bridge on Tuesday, July 31.(Photo: Nick Muscavage/Staff Photo)Buy Photo

HIGH BRIDGE – The man who barricaded himself in his borough home Tuesday prompting the SWAT team and a negotiator to be called to the scene is facing weapons charges.

Ronald R. Wetzel Jr., 59, of High Bridge, was charged with second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree illegal possession of a shotgun, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III announced Wednesday.

The standoff with Wetzel, who lives on Overlook Drive near Lake Solitude, began around 2 p.m. and ended around 6:30 p.m. when law enforcement officials were able to resolve the situation safely, placing Wetzel under arrest.

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Several gunshots and flash bangs were heard throughout the usually quiet neighborhood during the incident. Shouting could be heard as well, including police yelling, "Come out with your hands up!"

Around 5:30 p.m., a police monitoring service indicated the suspect pointed a long rifle out the window of the home and allegedly fired at police. Shots and flash bangs were heard in area.

“I would like to commend Chief Bret Bartman and the High Bridge Police Department as well as the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office SWAT team and negotiators," Kearns said. "The officers and the team that responded today train vigorously for situations like this. Their level of competency and commitment to their profession directly led to bringing the individual into custody without further incident or injury. Law enforcement exercised great restraint and professionalism in bringing this matter to a safe resolution.”

The Hunterdon County SWAT Team has been enacted 12 times in 2018, for various reasons, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office.

“I commend all involved law enforcement, medical and fire personnel in bringing this situation to a resolution," Bartman said. "Our citizens should remain confident in our efforts to maintain a safe community.”

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Mayor Mark Desire, middle, and Borough Administrator Michael Pappas at the scene of the High Bridge standoff on Tuesday, July 31.(Photo: Nick Muscavage/Staff Photo)

There were more than a dozen police vehicles, including from High Bridge, Lebanon and Clinton Township, as well as an ambulance and large mobile response unit.

Mayor Mark Desire and Borough Administrator Michael Pappas were also on the scene speaking with several residents who were waiting to see how the situation unfolded.

Police officers had the road blocked leading to Overlook Drive for the duration of the incident.

Multiple neighbors, who declined to be named, said they’d heard the man shouting and yelling on other occasions in the neighborhood.

Wetzel's home was painted several different colors, appearing unfinished and contrasting with neighboring homes on the street.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released when available.”

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010, going online atwww.CrimeStoppersHunterdon.com, or through the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.